The other night at bedtime we had a simple but brilliant success which perfectly explains the “Modelling without expectation” AAC motto & top tip. I was watching YouTube in bed with Ethan & he chose to watch one of his fave videos of Lorries & Trucks splashing into huge puddles or falling off bridges into lakes [you know, the usual!] & each time a vehicle fell into water I modelled Actions – “Splash” – on his AAC device whilst vocalising “Splash” in a fun, animated way. After a few times of me doing this, Ethan got there first & pressed “splash” himself as a Lorry fell into the lake. He then continued doing this for the duration of the video for the next 60 seconds or so.

Simple, but I think, a really perfect explanation of what modelling without expectation means & what it can lead to. 💜🩷💚

Casual modelling, in a situation where Ethan’s interest is peaked, speaking in an animated tone, without any expectation of him joining in – just think of the communication potential.